Added 7 October 2026
down
/ˈdaʊ̯n/ adverb
In Latin: deorsum, pessum Wiktionary
adverb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about down at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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From a higher position to a lower one; downwards.
The cat jumped down from the table.
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To or towards what is considered the bottom of something, irrespective of whether this is presently physically lower.
Go down to the bottom of the page.
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At a lower or further place or position along a set path.
His place is farther down the road.
preposition
adjective
verb
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To knock (someone or something) down; to cause to come down; to fell. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
The storm downed several old trees along the highway.
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Specifically, to cause (something in the air) to fall to the ground; to bring down (with a missile etc.).
The helicopter was downed by a surface-to-air missile.
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To lower; to put (something) down.
The bell rang for lunch, and the workers downed their tools.
Origin
From Middle English doun, doune (“down”), from Old English dūne (“down”), aphetic form of adūne (“down, downward”), from earlier ofdūne (“down”, literally “off the hill”), from of (“of, off of”) + dūn (“hill, mount, dune, down”). More at Etymology 2 below. For the development from directional phrases to prepositions, compare Old Frisian dene (“down”, adverb, literally “(to the) floor”), Middle Low German dāle (“down, downwards”, literally “(in/to the) dale/valley”), whence German Low German dal (“down”). Compare also Saterland Frisian deel (“down”, literally “to/into the dale”), West Frisian del (“down”). Cognate with Scots doon (“down”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)